Itineraries
Uzbekistan itinerary: 10 days with the desert castles
Ten days that add the clay castles of Khorezm, a night in a yurt camp and Shakhrisabz to the classic Silk Road loop, at a pace that leaves room to breathe.
In 10 days you can see Uzbekistan’s four classic cities without rushing and add two highlights most short trips miss: the desert castles of Khorezm, with a night in the yurt camp at Ayaz Kala, and Shakhrisabz, Amir Timur’s birthplace. The route is Tashkent → Khiva → desert → Bukhara → Samarkand → Tashkent.
The route at a glance
| Day | Route | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Tashkent | Tashkent |
| 2 | Fly to Urgench, Khiva at sunset | Khiva |
| 3 | Khiva: Ichan-Kala | Khiva |
| 4 | Toprak Kala, Kyzyl Kala, Ayaz Kala | Yurt camp, Ayaz Kala |
| 5 | Sunrise in the desert, back via Khiva to the road east, or the train | Bukhara (late) or Khiva |
| 6 | Bukhara | Bukhara |
| 7 | Bukhara: the outskirts, or a slow day | Bukhara |
| 8 | Fast train to Samarkand | Samarkand |
| 9 | Day trip to Shakhrisabz | Samarkand |
| 10 | Samarkand, fast train to Tashkent, depart | — |
If the drive on day 5 feels too long, sleep in Khiva again and drive to Bukhara on day 6; take one day from Bukhara.
Days 1–3 – Tashkent and Khiva
As in the 7-day itinerary: arrive in Tashkent, fly to Urgench on day 2 and spend day 3 in Ichan-Kala.
Day 4 – The desert castles and a yurt night
Cross the Amu Darya into Karakalpakstan. Visit Kyzyl Kala and Toprak Kala in the morning, check in at the yurt camp below Ayaz Kala for lunch and a rest, and climb to the fortress for sunset over the Kyzylkum. Dinner in the camp, and a sky full of stars. See desert fortresses.
Day 5 – Across the desert to Bukhara
Sunrise from the camp, breakfast, then the long drive south and east to Bukhara (most of the day, with stops). Alternatively, return to Khiva for a second night and travel on day 6. This is the one long travel day of the trip.
Days 6–7 – Bukhara
With two full days you can see the old town on the first (Ark, Poi Kalyan, trading domes, Samanid mausoleum, Chor Minor) and leave the city on the second: the summer palace of Sitorai Mohi-Hosa, the Bahauddin Naqshband shrine, a puppet or folk performance in the evening, or simply a long afternoon at Lyabi-Hauz. See Bukhara.
Days 8–9 – Samarkand and Shakhrisabz
Day 8: fast train to Samarkand, Gur-e-Amir in the afternoon and Registan at sunset. Day 9: drive over the Takhtakaracha pass to Shakhrisabz, Amir Timur’s birthplace, to see the ruins of the Ak-Saray palace and the Dorut Tilovat complex. Back to Samarkand for dinner. See Shakhrisabz.
Day 10 – Shah-i-Zinda and home
Shah-i-Zinda in the morning light, Bibi-Khanym and Siab Bazaar, then the fast train to Tashkent and your flight.
Alternatives for days 9–10
- Tajikistan’s Seven Lakes instead of Shakhrisabz, crossing the border near Penjikent. Needs a Tajik e-visa or visa-free status for your passport. See our Desert Castles & Seven Lakes in 11 days.
- Nukus and the Savitsky Museum instead of the yurt night, continuing north from the fortresses and flying Nukus → Tashkent at the end of the trip.
- The Fergana Valley at the end, by train from Tashkent.
Frequently asked questions
What should I add to a 10-day Uzbekistan trip?
The desert castles near Khiva with a night in the yurt camp, and a day trip from Samarkand to Shakhrisabz. Both add variety, desert landscapes and Timur’s birthplace, to the classic four-city route.
Is the yurt camp at Ayaz Kala comfortable?
It is simple but comfortable, with felt yurts with beds and bedding, shared washrooms and a dining yurt. Nights are cool even in spring and autumn, so bring a warm layer.
Rules, timetables and prices change. We check this page regularly, but always confirm entry requirements with official sources before you travel.
